Staten Island tuberculosis cases lowest in the city, still above national average

New York City's 2013 TB rate of 8 percent per 100,000 people is one of the highest in America and well above the national average of 3 percent per 100,000 residents, but on Staten Island its 5.3 percent rate is the lowest of all five boroughs.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Although reported tuberculosis (TB) cases on Staten Island are above the national average, they have held steady in recent years, and New York City cases have consistently declined from their peak in 1992.

New York City's 2013 TB rate of 8 per 100,000 people is one of the highest in America and well above the national average of 3 per 100,000 residents, but on Staten Island its 5.3 rate is the lowest of all five boroughs.

"The reasons (for the high rate) are many - large and diverse population, many people from countries with high rates of TB, large population living in poverty and in crowded living conditions," said Health Department officials in a statement. "The number of cases in Staten Island has remained relatively consistent between 2012 and 2013."

Citywide, there were 651 TB cases in 2012 and 656 last year, but those numbers have decreased dramatically from their peak in 1992 when there were 3,811 cases reported, according to information from the Health Department.

Last year, TB services were provided on a part-time basis only, at the Richmond Health Center, but those services have recently expanded to five days a week and moved to the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation's Stapleton Family Health Center.

"With proper care and treatment, TB can be prevented and cured," Health Department officials said. "While Staten Island TB rates are lower than the citywide rate, New York City has some of the highest TB rates in the nation so it's important to make services available to all boroughs."

TB services are free for Staten Islanders, and they may seek treatment at any TB center in the city, the Health Department said.

Someone infected with TB but not exhibiting symptoms cannot spread the disease, the Health Department says, but once they actually get sick the bacteria is spread through the air to others mostly by coughing, sneezing or speaking.

Brief contact with someone sick with TB -- such as on trains or buses-- is still unlikely to spread the bacteria. It is only when people spend extended periods of time with someone who is sick either by living with or working with them that they risk being infected, the Health Department said.

"Most people do not know they have TB until they become sick," said the Health Department. "That is why it is a good idea for people at high risk for TB to get tested."